1 Kings 7:3
1 Kings 7:3 in Multiple Translations
The house was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the pillars—forty-five beams, fifteen per row.
And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row.
And it was covered with cedar above over the forty and five beams, that were upon the pillars; fifteen in a row.
And it was covered with cedar over the forty-five supports which were on the pillars, fifteen in a line.
The cedar roof of the house was on top of the beams that rested on the pillars. There were forty-five beams, fifteen in each row.
And it was couered aboue with cedar vpon the beames, that lay on the fourtie and fiue pillars, fifteene in a rowe.
and [it is] covered with cedar above, on the sides that [are] on the forty and five pillars, fifteen in the row.
It was covered with cedar above over the forty-five beams that were on the pillars, fifteen in a row.
And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty-five pillars, fifteen in a row.
And he covered the whole vault with boards of cedar, and it was held up with five and forty pillars. And one row had fifteen pillars,
To support the roof there were cedar beams that connected the rows of pillars.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 7:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 7:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/סָפֻ֣ן
בָּ/אֶ֗רֶז
מִ/מַּ֨עַל֙
עַל
הַ/צְּלָעֹת֙
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
עַל
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֔ים
אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
וַ/חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה
עָשָׂ֖ר
הַ/טּֽוּר
וְ/סָפֻ֣ן
çâphan
H5603
to cover
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
בָּ/אֶ֗רֶז
ʼerez
H730
cedar
Prep | N-ms
מִ/מַּ֨עַל֙
maʻal
H4605
above
Prep | Adv
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/צְּלָעֹת֙
tsêlâʻ
H6763
side
Art | N-cp
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֔ים
ʻammûwd
H5982
pillar
Art | N-mp
אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
וַ/חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
הַ/טּֽוּר
ṭûwr
H2905
row
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 7:3
וְ/סָפֻ֣ן
çâphan
H5603
"to cover"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
To cover something, like a roof or a wall, is what this Hebrew word means, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:8. It can also mean to reserve or hide something, often used in a literal or figurative sense. The KJV translates it as cieled, cover, or seated.
Definition: 1) to cover, cover in, wainscotted, covered with boards or panelling 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cover in, panel 1a2) covered, panelled (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: cieled, cover, seated. See also: Deuteronomy 33:21; 1 Kings 7:7; Jeremiah 22:14.
בָּ/אֶ֗רֶז
ʼerez
H730
"cedar"
Prep | N-ms
A cedar tree, known for its strength and durability, like the cedar wood used to build Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 5-6. The cedar tree was highly valued in ancient times for its timber and wood.
Definition: 1) cedar 1a) cedar tree 1b) cedar timber, cedar wood (in building) 1c) cedar wood (in purifications)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: cedar (tree). See also: Leviticus 14:4; 1 Chronicles 22:4; Psalms 29:5.
מִ/מַּ֨עַל֙
maʻal
H4605
"above"
Prep | Adv
Means above or higher, used to describe something's location or position. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Genesis 1:7, where God separates the waters above from the waters below. This word helps us understand God's creation.
Definition: subst 1) higher part, upper part adv 1a) above prep 1b) on the top of, above, on higher ground than with locative 1c) upwards, higher, above
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very. See also: Genesis 6:16; 1 Samuel 30:25; Psalms 74:5.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/צְּלָעֹת֙
tsêlâʻ
H6763
"side"
Art | N-cp
This word refers to a side or a rib, and it's used to describe parts of the body or objects. It's also used architecturally to describe beams or planks in buildings like the temple.
Definition: 1) side, rib, beam 1a) rib (of man) 1b) rib (of hill, ridge, etc) 1c) side-chambers or cells (of temple structure) 1d) rib, plank, board (of cedar or fir) 1e) leaves (of door) 1f) side (of ark) Aramaic equivalent: a.la (עֲלַע "rib" H5967)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib, side (chamber). See also: Genesis 2:21; Exodus 38:7; Ezekiel 41:26.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֔ים
ʻammûwd
H5982
"pillar"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a pillar or column, often used as a symbol of strength or support. It can also describe a platform or a stand, like a column of smoke rising into the air. The word is used in various contexts, including architecture and nature.
Definition: 1) pillar, column 1a) pillar 1b) column, upright 1c) column (of smoke)
Usage: Occurs in 84 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apiece, pillar. See also: Exodus 13:21; 1 Kings 7:3; Psalms 75:4.
אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
וַ/חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
הַ/טּֽוּר
ṭûwr
H2905
"row"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a row of things, like a row of bricks in a wall or a row of jewels on a necklace. It is used to describe something that is arranged in a line or sequence.
Definition: 1) row 1a) row, course (of building) 1b) row (of jewels)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: row. See also: Exodus 28:17; 1 Kings 7:3; Ezekiel 46:23.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 7:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 7:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 7:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 7:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 7:3
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
Context — Solomon’s Palace Complex
1Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace.
2He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting the cedar beams.
3The house was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the pillars—forty-five beams, fifteen per row.
4There were three rows of high windows facing one another in three tiers. 5All the doorways had rectangular frames, with the openings facing one another in three tiers.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 6:5 | Against the walls of the temple and the inner sanctuary, Solomon built a chambered structure around the temple, in which he constructed the side rooms. |
1 Kings 7:3 Summary
The house was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the pillars, with forty-five beams, fifteen per row, as mentioned in 1 Kings 7:3. This description shows us the careful planning and attention to detail that went into building the house. Just like the house, our lives should be built on a strong foundation, with careful attention to the details that matter most to God (Matthew 7:24-27). By prioritizing what is truly important to God, we can build a life that is pleasing to Him and brings glory to His name (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the cedar beams in the construction of the house?
The cedar beams were used to provide structural support for the roof of the house, as mentioned in 1 Kings 7:3, and also to add aesthetic value, as cedar was a highly valued and fragrant wood in ancient times, as seen in 2 Chronicles 2:8.
How many rows of beams were there and how many beams per row?
According to 1 Kings 7:3, there were three rows of beams, with fifteen beams per row, totaling forty-five beams.
What can we learn from the detailed description of the house's construction in 1 Kings 7?
The attention to detail in the construction of the house, as described in 1 Kings 7, demonstrates the care and craftsmanship that went into building a structure that would glorify God, as seen in Psalm 127:1, which says that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
How does the description of the house's construction relate to the broader theme of 1 Kings?
The description of the house's construction in 1 Kings 7 serves as a backdrop for the rest of the book, which explores the reign of Solomon and the kingdom of Israel, highlighting the importance of wise leadership and faithfulness to God, as seen in Proverbs 24:3-4 and 1 Kings 9:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate attention to detail in my own life, just as the builders of the house did?
- How can I use my skills and talents to glorify God, just as the craftsmen who built the house did?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to seek God's wisdom and guidance, just as Solomon did in his reign as king?
- In what ways can I prioritize the things that are truly important to God, just as the construction of the house prioritized the use of high-quality materials and craftsmanship?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 7:3
And it was covered with cedar above the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 7:3
And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
So in this second story were only three rows of pillars, which was sufficient for the ornament of the second, and for the support of the third story.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
1 Kings 7:3 And [it was] covered with cedar above upon the beams, that [lay] on forty five pillars, fifteen [in] a row.Ver. 3. Upon the beams.] Heb., Ribs: for beams are to a building what ribs are to a living creature. In Africa they make, if not beams, yet rafters for houses, of the whale’ s ribs.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 7:3
3. And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams] The word here rendered ‘beams’ is the same which has been rendered ‘side-chambers’ in 1 Kings 6:5. In two descriptions which are so closely related as that chapter and this, it is difficult to suppose that the word has a different sense in the two places. And we have here an account of a series of side-chambers which ran all round the inside walls of this house of the forest of Lebanon, as the others did round the outside wall of the Temple. Taking the word as = ‘side-chambers,’ the text says that they were supported upon the pillars already mentioned in 1 Kings 7:2, and then adds that these chambers were forty-five in number, fifteen in a row. This seems to mean that the whole three tiers of rooms numbered forty-five, each of the three stories being divided into fifteen chambers. If we suppose that the chambers were only on three sides like those surrounding the Temple, then six on each side and three at each end would exactly make up the number, and would suit with the dimensions of the house, which was twice as long as it was broad. The whole verse then may be translated ‘And it was covered with cedar above, over the forty and five side-chambers, which were upon the pillars, fifteen in a row.’
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:3
3. Upon the beams — Rather, Upon the chambers; for φμςϊ, here rendered beams, is the same word that is rendered chambers in 1 Kings 6:5; 1 Kings 6:8.